USA USA USA USA USA USA!!!!!!!!
I.........................................................................
I BELIEVE................................................................
I BELIEVE THAT.............................................................
I BELIEVE THAT WE...............................................................
I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!!!!!I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!!!!!!I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!!!!!!
USA Scotland kicks off in my living room at approximately 7:07 pm. Clark D and I decided to do some blogging and watch the USA demolish the plaid skirts of Scotland. Screw the bagpipes, screw the scotch. Give me Stan the Man's harmonica and some beer.
That being said, since we are playing the absolute whitest team in the world, Clark picked up a bottle of white ale. Cathedral Square in the house!
On to the blog!
Brewery: Cathedral Square
Beer Name: White Ale
Beer Style: White Ale
Price: $3.99 for a pint at Schnucks
Appearance: Light in color but surprisingly cloudy; not clear at all. A very unfrothy head and no lacing on the glass.
Aroma: A very light Belgium skunkiness. Clark says we should be sitting in a windmill in the Netherlands or something. Not sure what that has to do with the smell but hey; it sounds OK.
Mouthfeel: Not much happening; just a little wet bis about it. Not very bitter or very sweet. Just kind of sits there and hangs out waiting to be swallowed.
Taste: Clark says a Belgium taste with a sour finish. It is somewhat yeasty which leads to the sour taste. I don't get much Belgium but I do get the sour. Especially after you swallow. Clark wants to know how the Scots will survive the sun in Qatar in 2024. I'm thinking SPF 500 will be a start.
Overall Rating: Clark says a 2.5 based on the Belgium taste. He is not a huge fan of the home of Marouine Fellaini. I'm giving it a 3. Drinkable but not much there. Probably a nice summer beer if you are looking for more than Bud Light.
Not a bad start but we are getting ready for a heavy hitter:
Brewery: Sam Adams
Beer Name: Sam Adams Dark Depths Baltic IPA
Beer Style: IPA
Price: $5.89 at Schnucks
Appearance: Black. Nice head and lacing. A dark, dark beer. It looks absolutely non-IPA like. Not at all. Can't get past the overpowering aroma of skunky malt.
Aroma: I skipped to this because this beer may be the smelliest beer I have ever seen (or smelled actually). It smells like the exhaust from a semi with a bad catalytic converter. Knock you over and hit your head on the concrete smell. WOW! Dooley has smelled his about 14 times since cracking it open. I'm smelling a little black licorice more then anything. Clark says cough syrup. Speaking of porn stars; has anyone seen Sasha Klejtian lately? Holy pipe fitters! He has the look. All he needs is a tool belt and a plaid shirt with cutoff sleeves. I AM HERE TO FIX YOUR CABLE MA'AM.
Mouthfeel: Clark says it has a decent feel to it, not too heavy not too light. It is probably the best part of drinking this beer. I say sort of tingly and smelly.
Taste: Clark says that the heavy malt and black licorice taste will survive for a few days after drinking this beer. His tastebuds will definitely be compromised for days to come. I'm thinking this beer is the most un IPAish IPA ever brewed. I can't taste a hop; much less anything resembling a beer besides malt. This may be the weirdest beer ever. I'm thinking the taste isn't bad unlike the asphalt smell.
Overall Rating: Clark gives this his lowest rating of the beer blog so far. .75. Tn his rating is the same as we give Omar Gonzalez's scrunchy. Not his best day at the hair dresser. As for the rating, I'm going a solid 1.0. Probably the worst beer I've ever drank besides the obvious; Coors Lite, Miller Lite, Keystone Ice, etc.
Luckily, I have two bottles of chocolate stout in the fridge...
Brewer: Rogue (one of my favorite brewers- never had a bad beverage from them- pretty excited)
Beer: Chocolate Stout
Style: Chocolate Stout
Price: $5.99 at Friar Tucks
Appearance: Dark brown, think Sade; not Halle Berry. Rather clear; slight lacing on the glass.
Aroma: In my best Homer Simpson voice, "Ummmmmmm, chocolate." Clark says cocoa. Whatever you want to call it, it is chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Not much happening here again. Somewhat boring. Clark says a slight fizz but nothing too interesting.
Taste: Ummm, pretty yummy but not as good as I was expecting. Definitely a chocolaty start but a weird, metallic aftertaste. I'm not sure about it. We are striking out tonight. Clark says it tastes better now that's warmed up a bit. Not sure that's a real good thing. Either its growing on me or my taste buds are dulling.
Overall rating: I'm going a solid 3.5 with the chance to rise up to a 4 or so if I buy another bottle. Clark goes a 4. Pretty good but not the best chocolate beer I've had recently. Clark says a very good winter beer. Anything is good compared to the last beer from the Baltics.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
New Blog! Smaltz Brewing Company Reunion Ale 13! & Bonus beer!!!!
After the Cards left us in a state of depression, we have two things to live for:
BLUES HOCKEY and THEBIGWALLABOWSKI!!!!
We have both tonight as the Blues are skating in Florida and I have a big bottle of Reunion Ale 13 from the Smaltz Brewing Company:
Speaking of the Blues, they just scored. Derek Roy on the backhand. Nicely played. Landon dressed up as TJ Oshie for Halloween. Landon lay actually look a little older then Oshie though. Damn this beer is good. I'm on a beer roll at the moment. Let the ratings begin!
Brewer: Shmaltz Brewing Company and Terrapin Brewing Co, from Athens, GA. http://www.shmaltzbrewing.com/
Beer Name: Reunion Ale '13
Beer Style: Ale with Cocoa Nibs, Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Coffee
Price: $4.99 at Friar Tucks (if memory serves correctly)
Aroma: Smells chocolaty. Seriously, almost like bitter cocoa puffs or just a can of cocoa. I like it but it is strong. Makes me think I should pour this in a bowl of milk and have toast and a glass of juice ready to go.
Brewer: Shmaltz Brewing Company and Terrapin Brewing Co, from Athens, GA. http://www.shmaltzbrewing.com/
Beer Name: Reunion Ale '13
Beer Style: Ale with Cocoa Nibs, Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Coffee
Price: $4.99 at Friar Tucks (if memory serves correctly)
Aroma: Smells chocolaty. Seriously, almost like bitter cocoa puffs or just a can of cocoa. I like it but it is strong. Makes me think I should pour this in a bowl of milk and have toast and a glass of juice ready to go.
Mouthfeel: Not much happening with the feel. Rather flat but acceptable. No detectable fizz or bubbles at all.
Appearance: Not super dark but definitely leaning that way. Slightly murky with a reddish tint when held to the light. It does pour beautifully though. A nice thick head and plenty of lacing on the glass.
Appearance: Not super dark but definitely leaning that way. Slightly murky with a reddish tint when held to the light. It does pour beautifully though. A nice thick head and plenty of lacing on the glass.
Taste: Delicious. Like cocoa puffs. Delicious beer cocoa puffs. 3 nothing Blues. Stewart and Petrangelo scored in the second period. Dooley just joined the blog party and he says he is getting a strong cinnamon taste with a hint of coffee. The only thing we don't taste is the vanilla. It is a complex beer with plenty of flavor and tastes.
Overall Rating: John says 2.5. He didn't care for it. He likes to keep his coffee (Sanka) and beer (Coors Light) separate. I wholeheartedly disagree and think this beer was wonderful provided you like chocolate or cocoa or whatever. The cinnamon and coffee are secondary tastes that make it a complex, flavor-filled joyride of beverage heaven.
Overall Rating: John says 2.5. He didn't care for it. He likes to keep his coffee (Sanka) and beer (Coors Light) separate. I wholeheartedly disagree and think this beer was wonderful provided you like chocolate or cocoa or whatever. The cinnamon and coffee are secondary tastes that make it a complex, flavor-filled joyride of beverage heaven.
Dooley just showed up with a bottle of the same beer I reviewed on Monday. This is shaping up to be a good, good night. PLAYER of the MONTH Alex Steen just scored. 4 nothing Blues. Florida is not very good.
We are going to drink the new bottle John brought and review the blog that I posted Monday. Look for additions to that one including highlights of the Blues third period from five days in the future. (I'm psychic).
OOOOOHHHHHH. Round two bonus blog material tonight. Its getting crazy in here. We are going to do a bonus bottle with a new blogger, Tony my neighbor. He showed up with another bottle from a local brewer: Cathedral Square Holy Moly! Imperial Stout. I poured it and it had just a slight bit of head on it:
Aroma: Foamy.
Mouthfeel: Foamy.
Appearance: Extra Foamy.
Tatse: Foamy.
Overall Rating: Foamy.
Seriously. Here we go.
Brewer: Cathedral Square Brewery, St, Louis, MO http://www.cathedralsquarebrewery.com/
Beer Name: Holy Moly Imperial Stout
Beer Style: Imperial Stout
Price: $5.79 at Dierbergs (foam not included)
Aroma: Whooaaa! Not a summer beer says Tony. Slightly whiskeyish. And by slightly, I mean a shot in the face. Holy moly! This is some string stuff. Foamy says John. I think it smells like a sour raisin or a prune. Tony says it smells pungent.
Mouthfeel: Strong alcohol taste. Mouth tingles from the oncoming numbness. Tony says he is not buying this again. John says a strong feel from the get go.
Appearance: Dark and nothing to see through at all. A true stout. Dark and lovely.
Taste: As far as Imperial Stouts go, this isn't bad. The whiskey aftertaste is strong but not overpowering. John says stongly malted. Tony says it tastes like an irish coffee; really black irish coffee. Strong coffee with whiskey aftertastes.
Overall rating: Clark just pulled out a "as soon as it touches your lips." He says foam and alcohol. Clark gives it a 3.0. He likes the foam. Tony gives it a 3 also. I'm going a 3.5 as it is not bad for an imperial stout. Not my favorite style and I would throw up if I had to drink the entire bottle, but it isn't that bad. I didn't
PS: Tony says his Dos Equis tastes like water. Clark is switching to actual water (Coors Light) in a minute.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Game 5 Beer Blog!
Note: Blue typing was added five days later when John Dooley brought another bottle up and we reeveluated this one.
World Series Game Five! What better way to watch then with a new beer and a new blog? So far, not so good. Fourth inning and we are down 1-0. Double play for the Cards. Out of the inning. Wainwright looks good but Lester looks really good again. Maybe Wano should use a pound of goop in their glove as well. I hear you get a better grip when you combine rosin, stickum' and superglue. If you see Jon Lester, ask him.
On to the beer and the bottom of the fourth.
Brewer: 4 Hands Brewing Company.
Beer Name: Cast Iron Oatmeal Brown
Beer Style: Brown Ale
Price: $4.99 for a pint bottle at Friar Tuck's.
IT'S A HOLLIDAY!!!!!!!!! Home run!!!!!! Tie game in the fifth!!!!!!!! Cue the Madonna 80's jam! Lets celebrate!!
Ummm, a nice long drink after that blast! AND BELTRAN flies out to the wall. Shit. Thought we went back to back. Come on Yadi... Not happening this inning.
On to the rating:
Appearance: Ummm, dark brown with a reddish tint. Clear enough to see light through but barely. Not cloudy at all; just dark. A perfect pour with a great head and lacing. Looks delicious in the glass.
Aroma: You can smell the chocolate in this ale. Think bitter chocolate; not sweet. A little alcohol undertone as well. Definitely a real beer in the glass. It smells good.
Mouthfeel: Very crisp; smooth feel in the mouth. Tingly and light but still substantial.
Crap. Boston has two on and one out. We need a DP with Lester the stickum molester at the plate. 0 and 2. He might be the worst bunter ever. Maybe he just needs more pine tar. Sweet K for Wainwright! Jacoby Dingleberry is up. 2 on, 2 out. Come on Wano...
Taste: This is the first beer I have tried from 4 Hands. 1 and 2. COME ON WANO!!! YES! Tackleberry struck out!!! Still 1-1. Back to the beer, this is the first beer from 4 Hands for me. It is excellent. Think a smooth brown ale with a heaping of bitter chocolate on top. Complex yet very smooth from start to finish. It is definitely more bitter then the average brown ale but it works with the chocolate flavor accompanying the bitterness. This is an excellent alternative for people who like chocolate but would prefer something lighter then a stout. This beer is really good. John says this tastes like a brown ale to start with with plenty of chocolate at the end. Which is good.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5. I'm going to have to buy another bottle and retry this. I may be improving the rating. Truthfully, I'm not sure why I'm taking a half point off. Maybe just slightly too bitter but I'm really being picky. SIDENOTE: I swear to God I'm going to jam that stupid helmet on Jonny Gomes' head if he doesn't stop waggling it around for 10 seconds between pitches. Has there ever been a more annoying pre-pitch ritual then Johnny Gomes head massage? HAHA, he struck out! 1,2,3 Pedroia, Ortiz, and Jonny rubbing his Domes. We need to pick up a couple of runs and put this one to bed. I like having to win one of two in Boston with Wacha and Kelly against Lackey and Peavy. Back to the beer, if you like chocolate at all, try this beer. It is delicious. I absolutely agree with my rating from Monday. This beer is delicious. Dooley likes this one as well. He is throwing out a 4.25 for this one. I am thinking this is a solid 4.5 with a legitimate chance to move up. I'm going to have to head down to 4 Hands and have lunch over XMas break for sure. By the way, I like beer. I'm going to crack a new bottle and go ahead and get a little crunk up in herr. I'll add the new beer to the blog for Friday with the Smaltz Reunion Beer.
I'm going to post this as I am assuming the Cardinals will win. If we don't, I don't want to type about it anyway.
By the way, I love Matt Carpenter. I nicknamed him MC because he gets the party started. Can't call him Carp obviously. Going MC.
Until next time (Wednesday most likely- I have two more bottles of 4 Hands plus a bunch of others in the Fridge. Viva La Friar Tucks!!!
GO CARDINALS!!!!
World Series Game Five! What better way to watch then with a new beer and a new blog? So far, not so good. Fourth inning and we are down 1-0. Double play for the Cards. Out of the inning. Wainwright looks good but Lester looks really good again. Maybe Wano should use a pound of goop in their glove as well. I hear you get a better grip when you combine rosin, stickum' and superglue. If you see Jon Lester, ask him.
Brewer: 4 Hands Brewing Company.
Beer Name: Cast Iron Oatmeal Brown
Beer Style: Brown Ale
Price: $4.99 for a pint bottle at Friar Tuck's.
IT'S A HOLLIDAY!!!!!!!!! Home run!!!!!! Tie game in the fifth!!!!!!!! Cue the Madonna 80's jam! Lets celebrate!!
Ummm, a nice long drink after that blast! AND BELTRAN flies out to the wall. Shit. Thought we went back to back. Come on Yadi... Not happening this inning.
On to the rating:
Appearance: Ummm, dark brown with a reddish tint. Clear enough to see light through but barely. Not cloudy at all; just dark. A perfect pour with a great head and lacing. Looks delicious in the glass.
Aroma: You can smell the chocolate in this ale. Think bitter chocolate; not sweet. A little alcohol undertone as well. Definitely a real beer in the glass. It smells good.
Mouthfeel: Very crisp; smooth feel in the mouth. Tingly and light but still substantial.
Crap. Boston has two on and one out. We need a DP with Lester the stickum molester at the plate. 0 and 2. He might be the worst bunter ever. Maybe he just needs more pine tar. Sweet K for Wainwright! Jacoby Dingleberry is up. 2 on, 2 out. Come on Wano...
Taste: This is the first beer I have tried from 4 Hands. 1 and 2. COME ON WANO!!! YES! Tackleberry struck out!!! Still 1-1. Back to the beer, this is the first beer from 4 Hands for me. It is excellent. Think a smooth brown ale with a heaping of bitter chocolate on top. Complex yet very smooth from start to finish. It is definitely more bitter then the average brown ale but it works with the chocolate flavor accompanying the bitterness. This is an excellent alternative for people who like chocolate but would prefer something lighter then a stout. This beer is really good. John says this tastes like a brown ale to start with with plenty of chocolate at the end. Which is good.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5. I'm going to have to buy another bottle and retry this. I may be improving the rating. Truthfully, I'm not sure why I'm taking a half point off. Maybe just slightly too bitter but I'm really being picky. SIDENOTE: I swear to God I'm going to jam that stupid helmet on Jonny Gomes' head if he doesn't stop waggling it around for 10 seconds between pitches. Has there ever been a more annoying pre-pitch ritual then Johnny Gomes head massage? HAHA, he struck out! 1,2,3 Pedroia, Ortiz, and Jonny rubbing his Domes. We need to pick up a couple of runs and put this one to bed. I like having to win one of two in Boston with Wacha and Kelly against Lackey and Peavy. Back to the beer, if you like chocolate at all, try this beer. It is delicious. I absolutely agree with my rating from Monday. This beer is delicious. Dooley likes this one as well. He is throwing out a 4.25 for this one. I am thinking this is a solid 4.5 with a legitimate chance to move up. I'm going to have to head down to 4 Hands and have lunch over XMas break for sure. By the way, I like beer. I'm going to crack a new bottle and go ahead and get a little crunk up in herr. I'll add the new beer to the blog for Friday with the Smaltz Reunion Beer.
I'm going to post this as I am assuming the Cardinals will win. If we don't, I don't want to type about it anyway.
By the way, I love Matt Carpenter. I nicknamed him MC because he gets the party started. Can't call him Carp obviously. Going MC.
Until next time (Wednesday most likely- I have two more bottles of 4 Hands plus a bunch of others in the Fridge. Viva La Friar Tucks!!!
GO CARDINALS!!!!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Return of the beerblog! Bringing back John D. to guest rate some oatmeal stout! From St. Louis go to brewery Schlafly no less! Enough with the exclamation points.
We have a live GnR concert in the background. Ritz Carlton in 1988. They are rockin' it. And Axl doesn't give an f-bomb.
We have a live GnR concert in the background. Ritz Carlton in 1988. They are rockin' it. And Axl doesn't give an f-bomb.
And off to the rating:
Brewer: Schlafly
Beer Name: Oatmeal Stout
Beet Style: Ditto
Price: $7.99/ six pack
APPEARANCE: As the picture shows, this beer is slightly darker then average. If the average is pitch black with the shades drawn on a moonless night twelve miles underground. It looks slightly syrupy during the pour. All in all, it looks like a stout.
AROMA: Black licorice with a hint of coffee. Black, freshly ground coffee. And LOTS of licorice. Think black licorice ropes from the skating rink. 3 foot ropes swizzle-sticked in your beer. Use those babys as straws and you are getting close.
MOUTHFEEL: Fizzy at the end; definitely a mouth-full. Tingly on the back of the tongue. And I can no longer spell or type. The spellchecker just gave out so beware.
Brewer: Schlafly
Beer Name: Oatmeal Stout
Beet Style: Ditto
Price: $7.99/ six pack
APPEARANCE: As the picture shows, this beer is slightly darker then average. If the average is pitch black with the shades drawn on a moonless night twelve miles underground. It looks slightly syrupy during the pour. All in all, it looks like a stout.
AROMA: Black licorice with a hint of coffee. Black, freshly ground coffee. And LOTS of licorice. Think black licorice ropes from the skating rink. 3 foot ropes swizzle-sticked in your beer. Use those babys as straws and you are getting close.
MOUTHFEEL: Fizzy at the end; definitely a mouth-full. Tingly on the back of the tongue. And I can no longer spell or type. The spellchecker just gave out so beware.
TASTE: John and I think they left the oatmeal out and replaced it with a triple pack of Good N Plentys. This beer is licorice with a whole lot of coffee in the background. The malt is slightly present as well. If you like a good, dark beer this will be right up your alley. John says it tastes like it has been smoked on a slab of beef ribs for the last 8 hours. I think it is a little too bitter for my taste. I like a stout with flavor; not just bitterness and this one seems to fall just a little bit short. I would prefer something other then Folgers flavored Twizzlers. Axl just said he doesn't give a f-bomb either.
OVERALL RATING: John is giving it a 3.5. He says not his favorite stout or dark beer but it is drinkable (especially since I brought it over). I am going 2.5. Its not bad but it has too little flavor for me.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
New Beer Fight! Battle of the Blondes!
And off we go... BEER #1 Brewer: Cathedral Square (Their slogan is turning sinners into saints) Beer Name: Iglesia Agave Golden Ale Beer Style: Blonde Ale Price: $3.99 for a pint Before I begin, I want to say this was a big stride for me as I hate tequila. As in wouldn't drink it unless a lot of $ was on the table; like a briefcase full... and not ones either. That being said, I was in the mood for light beer tonight as I have the kids (as mentioned in the opening paragraph). I almost saved it for the second beer so my taste buds would be slightly dulled but I decided to man up. OK, that being said, I can continue.
AROMA: Beery with a hint of tequila. Really, if it would have been overwhelming, I couldn't have done it but luckily, this isn't Cuervo with bubbles... Not too strong but you can tell the Agave plant is hiding in the bottom, ready to lash out and get you.
MOUTHFEEL: Good actually. It has a pleasant buzz on the tongue which feels like beer and not the thick syrupy nasty tequila feel. I am actually surprised that I am enjoying this so far. As in SHOCKED.
TASTE: I was expecting to vomit as soon as I tilted the glass past the 90 degree level and the first drop touched my bottom lip so when that didn't happen, i actually had to pay attention to the taste. And, it isn't bad. Definitely a hint of tequila there but that is it. Just a touch, a hint, an intimation if you will bear with my poetic rambling here. I don't know if I would say this is good; just a little different and I can't complain. I'm going to have to get someone who likes tequila to drink this. It may be the next Lime-A-Rita!!! Easy Weable! Not insinuating it will take a small chunk of InBev's market share. Overall, I'm impressed that the brewer didn't overdo it as so many do. Now, if only they could do the same thing with Pumpkin beer, I might find one I like... Oh well, another day.
OVERALL RATING: I'm going a solid 3.0 with a disclaimer. I don't like Agave so finding one I could drink and not belch vomit is a huge success. This probably deserves higher for the skill the brewer showed but I'm going with my opinion over logic. By the way, I just finished the entire pint. In about 45 minutes. Is it time for the boys to go to bed yet? Started the first fire of the season tonight. The basement is toasty. Whoever invented fire should be president.
Another side note, the Swish and I are going to see Chevelle at Pops on December 7. Talk about a throwback for me. I haven't been to Pops and am not sure if they will let me drink with an over 40 discount. Our wives, who know nothing about Chevelle are going too. I'm betting by the fourth song, they are waiting in the mini van while Lonnie and I rock the F out of the place. And chances are, I may have enough in me to not worry too much about that... One can only hope. Anyway, on to BEER #2.
Brewer: Bat Creek
Beer Name: Midwest Farmer's Daughter Blonde Ale (slogan is "I wish they all could be that good")
Beer Style: Blonde Ale
Price: $4.99 pint
AROMA: Wow. Sent shivers down my spine. Very fruity with something else. Not sure yet. Maybe the hops? Not a very traditional hop smell though.
MOUTHFEEL: Very light. Although quite a feeling in the aftertaste. The burn lasted at least 20 seconds after the beer was gone. Quite an impression. Ahhhh. Just read the label. 7%. Now its becoming clearer, or foggier... In the words of the immortal Big Daddy Kane, "Imma play like Roy Rogers and slooooooooow dooowwnnn."
TASTE: Surprisingly light for 7%. Surprisingly good for a 7% blonde ale. Usually the two don't go together. Had I read the label before buying, I may not have purchased this as I'm home alone with the kids. Remember, this is all in the name of research!
OVERALL RATING: 2.5 here. Not a lot too it besides the alcohol. I'm slightly disappointed. Just a touch of cough syrup infused with some fruity flavors. Not a repurchase by any means.
Off to play some Halo Reach with Kevin. Can't wait for Halo 4 Tuesday. Until next time...
Saturday, September 8, 2012
SEC Opener Beer Blog! Go Tigers!
Ahhhh, after the busiest summer I have ever had, things are finally settling down. I found leaves in the swimming pool today and the temperature never got out of the 70's. Football starts in earnest this weekend and it feels like a good excuse to drink some beer. Mizzou is opening up their SEC schedule against 7th ranked Georgia and I decided to get the blog going again. Life is returning to normal...
On to the beers: I picked two dark beers to mirror the black jerseys that I hoped Mizzou would wear (and they wore yellow of course). I like the new unis; much different unis then we have ever seen:
The football references don't stop there though. The first beer is a stout- as in Mizzou's defense. STOUT. It is a Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat Oatmeal Cream Stout to be exact. I have had it on tap before and enjoyed it so I thought it would be good to blog about. The second beer is new to me. It is a Green Flash Double Stout Black Ale. DOUBLE STOUT. Like Mizzou's DEFENSE!
The game is about to begin as is the beer competition as well. I am going to drink one of the Buffalo Sweat cans first.
Brewer: Tallgrass
Beer Name: Buffalo Sweat Oatmeal Cream Stout
Beer Style: Cream Stout
Price: about $8 for four 16 oz cans at Schnucks in Wentzville
Appearance: Dark, creamy, looks like coffee with some black food coloring dumped in. Looks like a stout should.
Mouthfeel: Very prickly; buzzes in your mouth. A lively, bubbly feel. Definitely not watery or boring.
Aroma: Not much actually. I tried to smell it during Mizzou's 2nd 3 and out but never got anything. Weird for a beer with this much flavor.
Taste: Absolutely delicious. I remembered being a fan of this when I had it at ITap. If this beer was a chick, it would look like Halle Berry (ten years ago), sing like Beyonce, and score goals like Alex Morgan. It is a cross between black licorice, carmel, and coffee dumped in your favorite black ale. Outstanding. A super beer here. 16 ounces of love.
Overall rating: 4.75 with the only drawback being I haven't drank enough to go 5 even. It may get there by the time I finish this entry.
By the way, Mizzou's offense looks terrible and the defense looks dominant. 0-0 in first quarter.
On to the next beer.
Brewer: Green Flash
Beer Name: Double Stout Black Ale
Beer Style: Stout
Price: About $8 for a four pack of 12 ounce bottles at Schnucks in Wentzville.
Appearance: Dark, darker, darkest. Almost pitch black. Picture Cory's last three girlfriends; just a little lighter.
Mouthfeel: Very bubbly as well; a small avalanche of effervesence on your tounge.
Aroma: Smells very bitter; almost a sour smell; possibly yeast but not sure. Very pungent.
Taste: A completely different beer. It is a stout, very distinct taste, way more bitter then the first, not nearly as smooth but still good. It has gotten much better as it warmed up. More coffee and less licorice for sure. Not nearly as complex as the Buffalo Sweat but not bad overall.
Overall rating: 3. Could be a little less bitter with a littlebut more taste. Glad I tried it but I probably won't buy again.
Go Tigers!!!
Look for more blog entries as the weather cools and my pool project draws to a close.
On to the beers: I picked two dark beers to mirror the black jerseys that I hoped Mizzou would wear (and they wore yellow of course). I like the new unis; much different unis then we have ever seen:
The football references don't stop there though. The first beer is a stout- as in Mizzou's defense. STOUT. It is a Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat Oatmeal Cream Stout to be exact. I have had it on tap before and enjoyed it so I thought it would be good to blog about. The second beer is new to me. It is a Green Flash Double Stout Black Ale. DOUBLE STOUT. Like Mizzou's DEFENSE!
The game is about to begin as is the beer competition as well. I am going to drink one of the Buffalo Sweat cans first.
Brewer: Tallgrass
Beer Name: Buffalo Sweat Oatmeal Cream Stout
Beer Style: Cream Stout
Price: about $8 for four 16 oz cans at Schnucks in Wentzville
Appearance: Dark, creamy, looks like coffee with some black food coloring dumped in. Looks like a stout should.
Mouthfeel: Very prickly; buzzes in your mouth. A lively, bubbly feel. Definitely not watery or boring.
Aroma: Not much actually. I tried to smell it during Mizzou's 2nd 3 and out but never got anything. Weird for a beer with this much flavor.
Taste: Absolutely delicious. I remembered being a fan of this when I had it at ITap. If this beer was a chick, it would look like Halle Berry (ten years ago), sing like Beyonce, and score goals like Alex Morgan. It is a cross between black licorice, carmel, and coffee dumped in your favorite black ale. Outstanding. A super beer here. 16 ounces of love.
Overall rating: 4.75 with the only drawback being I haven't drank enough to go 5 even. It may get there by the time I finish this entry.
By the way, Mizzou's offense looks terrible and the defense looks dominant. 0-0 in first quarter.
On to the next beer.
Brewer: Green Flash
Beer Name: Double Stout Black Ale
Beer Style: Stout
Price: About $8 for a four pack of 12 ounce bottles at Schnucks in Wentzville.
Appearance: Dark, darker, darkest. Almost pitch black. Picture Cory's last three girlfriends; just a little lighter.
Mouthfeel: Very bubbly as well; a small avalanche of effervesence on your tounge.
Aroma: Smells very bitter; almost a sour smell; possibly yeast but not sure. Very pungent.
Taste: A completely different beer. It is a stout, very distinct taste, way more bitter then the first, not nearly as smooth but still good. It has gotten much better as it warmed up. More coffee and less licorice for sure. Not nearly as complex as the Buffalo Sweat but not bad overall.
Overall rating: 3. Could be a little less bitter with a littlebut more taste. Glad I tried it but I probably won't buy again.
Go Tigers!!!
Look for more blog entries as the weather cools and my pool project draws to a close.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Oatmeal Stout AND I MEAN STOUT
Well, I started out spring break getting pretty ripped and I plan on ending it that way as well. It is 5:30 and I have had three Bud Light Limes as I housecleaned and I am now sitting down to do another blog. Tonight, we have some beer that I bought back at the end of January but haven't drank yet (obviously). Two Oatmeal Stouts.
The first (pictured on the right) is from Mikeller Brewery in Norway. It is called Beer Geek Breakfast as it is an oatmeal stout with coffee in it as well. As I was pouring it, I think I was a little frightened as it looks like motor oil after about 10000 miles. I immediately called Kerry over for backup.
Here is the rating:
BREWER: Mikkeller (Norway)
BEER NAME: Beer Geek Breakfast
BEER STYLE: Oatmeal/ Coffee Stout
PRICE: 9.99/ pint (ouch!)
Appearance: As previously stated, it looks like Pennzoil after 10000 miles or so in the old farm tractor out back or maybe liquid charcoal. To say this beer looks imtimidating may be like saying Cristiano Ronaldo dates attractive women. The foam on top is darker than most beer I have seen. This is not messing around.
Mouthfeel: Have you ever swallowed molten lead? This is somewhat similar (I imagine).
Aroma: Smells like a combination of black licorice, coffee, and alcohol. Actually it is quite pleasing.
Taste: On first taste, you really get ran over by the coffee bitterness. After that subsides, the warmth of the alcohol takes over and leads you into the actual oat taste of the beer. This is quite a complex beer with a definite beginning, middle, and end. For supposedly being only 7.5%, this beer packs a punch on the alcohol end too. I am half way through the pint and am feeling a little more warmth then before. Looks like I'm going to need some aspirin in the morning...
Overall Rating: 4.0. Too much coffee for me but I can appreciate the taste complexity and the balance that the brewer was going for. This would be the perfect -15 degrees day on the ski slopes when you want a pint or two before bed. A word of warning, for those of you who think Guiness is a strong beer, you may want to skip this one. It is one of the most powerful beers I have ever drank. Good stuff. A definite trophy beer.
NEXT: Samuel Smith's (my boy!) Oatmeal Stout. (this is the one that most drinkers say is the most accessible if not the best Oatmeal Stout on the market). I have very high hopes for this.
BREWER: Samuel Smith, England (Might be the best brewer on the planet)
BEER NAME: Tadcaster Oatmeal Stout
Beer Style: Ummm, oatmeal stout
Price: Maybe $5.99/ pint? Around there at least.
Appearance: Dark, somewhat clear although you can't see through it due to the darkness. Good, strong head with excellent lacing. A nice looking beer. Looks like a stout that won't decrease the years off your life.
Mouthfeel: Very foamy, malty beer with a smooth feeling as it goes down. A very nice, clean stout. This is a beer that has been perfected and not messed with.
Aroma: Not a whole lot there; a slight hint of nuts maybe? Some black licorice as well? Just a good clean beer scent more then anything.
Taste: I was expecting a nice beer and I'm not disappointed. This is a beer that is dominated by the grain involved; the oat. While not resembling oatmeal that I have tasted, it makes you feel like you dipped your hand in the oat barrel and chewed on some. Very smooth with a great finish. This is about half the beer that the first one was which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This is smooth enough to drink a few pints of without feeling like you just conquered the neighboring tribe by brute force. I fully recommend it. Per the usual Sam Smith output, it is perfectly balanced and a great entrance into this particular beer style.
Overall rating: 4.75. Excellent beer. Period. I love Sam Smith. He hasn't let me down yet. I need to buy stock. Or move to Yorkshire, England and rent a room above the brewery. How many quid is that I wonder? Anyone have an extra pence or two lying around?
The first (pictured on the right) is from Mikeller Brewery in Norway. It is called Beer Geek Breakfast as it is an oatmeal stout with coffee in it as well. As I was pouring it, I think I was a little frightened as it looks like motor oil after about 10000 miles. I immediately called Kerry over for backup.
Here is the rating:
BREWER: Mikkeller (Norway)
BEER NAME: Beer Geek Breakfast
BEER STYLE: Oatmeal/ Coffee Stout
PRICE: 9.99/ pint (ouch!)
Appearance: As previously stated, it looks like Pennzoil after 10000 miles or so in the old farm tractor out back or maybe liquid charcoal. To say this beer looks imtimidating may be like saying Cristiano Ronaldo dates attractive women. The foam on top is darker than most beer I have seen. This is not messing around.
Mouthfeel: Have you ever swallowed molten lead? This is somewhat similar (I imagine).
Aroma: Smells like a combination of black licorice, coffee, and alcohol. Actually it is quite pleasing.
Taste: On first taste, you really get ran over by the coffee bitterness. After that subsides, the warmth of the alcohol takes over and leads you into the actual oat taste of the beer. This is quite a complex beer with a definite beginning, middle, and end. For supposedly being only 7.5%, this beer packs a punch on the alcohol end too. I am half way through the pint and am feeling a little more warmth then before. Looks like I'm going to need some aspirin in the morning...
Overall Rating: 4.0. Too much coffee for me but I can appreciate the taste complexity and the balance that the brewer was going for. This would be the perfect -15 degrees day on the ski slopes when you want a pint or two before bed. A word of warning, for those of you who think Guiness is a strong beer, you may want to skip this one. It is one of the most powerful beers I have ever drank. Good stuff. A definite trophy beer.
NEXT: Samuel Smith's (my boy!) Oatmeal Stout. (this is the one that most drinkers say is the most accessible if not the best Oatmeal Stout on the market). I have very high hopes for this.
BREWER: Samuel Smith, England (Might be the best brewer on the planet)
BEER NAME: Tadcaster Oatmeal Stout
Beer Style: Ummm, oatmeal stout
Price: Maybe $5.99/ pint? Around there at least.
Appearance: Dark, somewhat clear although you can't see through it due to the darkness. Good, strong head with excellent lacing. A nice looking beer. Looks like a stout that won't decrease the years off your life.
Mouthfeel: Very foamy, malty beer with a smooth feeling as it goes down. A very nice, clean stout. This is a beer that has been perfected and not messed with.
Aroma: Not a whole lot there; a slight hint of nuts maybe? Some black licorice as well? Just a good clean beer scent more then anything.
Taste: I was expecting a nice beer and I'm not disappointed. This is a beer that is dominated by the grain involved; the oat. While not resembling oatmeal that I have tasted, it makes you feel like you dipped your hand in the oat barrel and chewed on some. Very smooth with a great finish. This is about half the beer that the first one was which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This is smooth enough to drink a few pints of without feeling like you just conquered the neighboring tribe by brute force. I fully recommend it. Per the usual Sam Smith output, it is perfectly balanced and a great entrance into this particular beer style.
Overall rating: 4.75. Excellent beer. Period. I love Sam Smith. He hasn't let me down yet. I need to buy stock. Or move to Yorkshire, England and rent a room above the brewery. How many quid is that I wonder? Anyone have an extra pence or two lying around?
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